Table of Content

What is a Deduction u/s 80C?

This section comprises of various investments and expenses that are eligible for tax deductions. A taxpayer can claim maximum tax deductions of Rs 1.5 lakh for a particular financial year (FY) from his/her taxable income through investments made by him/her under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Who is Eligible for Deductions under 80C?

An individual or a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) is eligible for claiming tax deduction u/s 80C.

Investments Eligible for Deductions u/s 80C of Income Tax Act

The below mentioned investments are eligible for deductions u/s 80C. An investor can choose to either invest in all the available tax-saving instruments or in some of them.

Employee Provident Fund (EPF) & Voluntary Provident Fund (VPF)

EPF is a retirement benefit scheme that is available to all salaried employees. Employer and employee both have to contribute equally (12% of basic salary) to the provident fund account of an employee. An employee can contribute a higher sum of money through voluntary contributions (VPF). Employee’s own contribution to provident fund qualifies for 80C deductions.

Eligibility: If the employee’s basic salary exceeds Rs 15,000 per month, he has an option to join the scheme, otherwise he/she has to compulsorily contribute towards provident fund.

Liquidity: A person cannot withdraw his/her PF balance for as long as he/she continues to work except in special circumstances(flat, construction, marriage/education of children etc.). In case, he/she quits the job and does not take up employment within two months with an employer covered by PF Act, then he/she can withdraw the entire balance.

Rate of Interest (ROI):The current rate of interest is 8.65% p.a. to be realigned on quarterly basis.

Investment Limit: Both employer and employee hve to contribute a minimum 12% of Basic Pay + D.A. Employee can voluntarily increase his own contribution up to 100% of Basic Pay + D.A.

Tax Treatment: The EPF falls under EEE (Exempt, Exempt, Exempt) category. Employer’s contribution to the PF account up to 12% of salary is tax exempt. Employee’s own contribution qualify for deduction under section 80C. Entire accumulated balance (including interest) of PF is tax exempt if withdrawn after continuous service of 5 years

Public Provident Fund (PPF)

PPF scheme is a long term investment option backed by Government of India.

Eligibility: PPF account can be opened by Resident Indian individuals either in their own name or in the name of minor child. It can be opened by both salaried and non-salaried individuals. A HUF cannot open a PPF account.

Liquidity: Maturity period of a PPF account is 15 years, but can be further extended by 5 years. Partial withdrawals are allowed after 7 years. Premature closure is allowed after 5 years

Rate of Interest (ROI): Current interest rate is 7.9% p.a. (compounded yearly) to be realigned on quarterly basis.

Tax Treatment: Interest accrued on the amount invested in NSC is taxable but it is counted as fresh investment and hence qualifies for 80C deduction. The investment is eligible for deduction under 80C and maturity amount is tax-free.

Tax Treatment: Interest income is taxable on maturity. The investment qualifies for deduction under 80C and maturity amount is exempt from tax.

Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS)

ELSS is an open-ended Equity Mutual Fund that helps save tax, and also provides an opportunity to grow money at a comparatively faster rate. ELSS provides inflation-adjusted growth in the long-term.

Eligibility: Anyone with a Demat account can invest in ELSS.

Liquidity: Minimum lock-in period for this scheme is 3 years

Rate of Interest (ROI): As the return on investment is directly linked to stock market performance, in the long run ELSS has wide potential to provide you the best return on your investments. It is more suitable for the person with appetite to take a bit more risk due to market factors

Investment Limit: The minimum investment limit is Rs 500. There is no upper limit for investment in this scheme.

Tax Treatment: ELSS falls under EEE category

Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP)

Unit Linked Insurance Plan is a life insurance product that is a combination of investment and insurance. That means a portion of the money invested in ULIPs will be used to provide risk cover and the balance amount will be invested in the stock market.

Eligibility: An investor can buy ULIP for self or spouse or child. Child can be married or unmarried, dependent or independent and minor or major.

Liquidity: Partial withdrawals are allowed after 5 years

Rate of Interest (ROI): Rate varies because it is market-linked.

Investment Limit: An investor can invest an amount higher than Rs 1.5 lakh but deduction will be allowed only up to Rs 1.5 lakhs.

Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS)

As the name suggests, this scheme is for senior citizens.

Eligibility: An individual aged 60 years or more is allowed to open the account. An individual of the age of 55 years or more but less than 60 years, who has retired under VRS (Voluntary Retirement Scheme) is also permitted to open account if he/she satisfies 2 conditions. First, the account is opened within 1 month of receipt of retirement benefits. Second, investment amount should not exceed the amount of retirement benefits.

Liquidity: Maturity period is 5 years The account can be extended for 3 more years after maturity. Premature withdrawal after 1 year is allowed on deduction of an amount equal to 1.5% of the deposit and after 2 years by deducting 1% of the deposit.

Rate of Interest (ROI): Interest rate offered is 8.4% per annum which is paid on quarterly basis.

Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme

Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme is one of the best investment options available today.

Eligibility: Parents/guardians can open account in the name of a girl child till she attains the age of 10 years Maximum of two accounts can be opened by natural or legal guardian for 2 different girls. Account can be opened at public sector banks and post offices.

Liquidity: Deposit should be made every year till the end of 14 years from the year of opening the account. Partial withdrawal are allowed up to 50% of the balance in the account as per the end of the previous financial year, for the purposes of higher education or marriage after attaining the age of 18 years. Maturity period is 21 years post opening of the account.

Rate of Interest (ROI): Rate of interest currently being offered is 8.4%, compounded annually.

Other Investments eligible for deductions under section 80C

If an individual has exhausted the above mentioned tax-saving instruments and still, has not reached the Rs 1.5 lakh limit, then that individual can invest his/her money in the below mentioned tax-saving schemes:

Infrastructure Bonds

Infrastructure companies such as Infrastructure Development Finance Company and India Infrastructure Finance Company issue infrastructure bonds, also popularly called infra bonds that are approved by the government. The amount invested in these bonds can be claimed as a deduction.

NABARD Rural Bonds

NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) issues two types of bonds. One is NABARD Rural Bonds and the other one is Bhavishya Nirman Bonds. Investments made in NABARD Rural Bonds are eligible for tax deductions.

Expenses eligible for deductions under 80C

Life Insurance Premium

In general, you cannot withdraw the PF balance as long as you continue to work.

Eligibility: All individuals and HUF can invest in insurance policy.

Liquidity: If you have invested for a minimum of 2 years then the withdrawals will be exempt from tax u/s 10 but, generally you will have to pay the premium for minimum 3 years before you can surrender it.

Rate of Interest: Average return on the life insurance policies ranges between 4.5 – 6%.

Investment Limit: Minimum investment amount depends on your entry age and life cover. No upper limit for investment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does the limit of Rs 1.5 lakh imply that I can invest Rs 1.5 lakh in more than one tax-saving instrument for tax benefits?

Though you can invest in different schemes maximum tax benefit that can be claimed is restricted to Rs 1.5 lakh on all the above mentioned tax-saving investments taken together.

Does investment made in National Pension System (NPS) qualify for deduction u/s 80C?

NPS is a scheme initiated by the Government of India. Investments to the tune of Rs 1.5 lakh will be eligible for deduction u/s 80C. An additional amount of Rs 50,000 can be invested in NPS for tax deduction u/s 80CCD (1B). Returns obtained from NPS is partially taxable. NPS has no guaranteed return.

When investing in provident funds, can I claim tax deductions on investments made in both EPF and PPF?

If you are investing in EPF as well as in PPF simultaneously, then you can claim tax deductions on both the investments u/s 80C subject to overall limit of Rs 1.5 lakh.

Can NRIs claim tax-saving deduction u/s 80C?

Just like Indian residents, non-resident Indians (NRIs) can also avail equal tax benefits on premiums paid on life insurance, pension schemes, etc.

When to make investments u/s 80C?

There are many investors, who start to make investments just near the end of a financial year. This is a wrong decision on the part of the investor. It has two implications:

Firstly, the investor will end up investing money without proper planning.

Secondly, the investor stands to lose the interest/appreciation for the entire year.

Therefore, the investor should evaluate different investment option carefully before taking investments decision and should start investing right from the beginning of a financial year i.e. from the month of April. This will have two implications:

Firstly, it will enable the investor to take informed decisions.

Secondly, the investor will earn the interest on investments for the entire year from April to March.